Book stack



July 6, 1937. v R. c. WALKER BOOK STACK Original Filed April 5, 1955 l f lr l Patented July 6, 1937 UNITED STATES BOOK STACK Robert C. Walker, Scarsdale, N. YJassignor to Remington Rand Inc., Buffalo, N. Y; i

8 Claims.

7 This invention relates to metal columns and particularly to library book stack columns.

This application. is a divisionv of application Serial No. 664,575, filed April 5, 1933. I

The invention comprehends the provision of an improved column construction formed of a plurality of sheet metal sections assembled in cooperating relation to provide a substantially uniform column structure having a substantial load carrying capacity.

- The invention provides improvements in the structure of columns for book stacks wherein the exterior dimensions of the columns can be maintained substantially uniform so they may be readily spaced atpredetermined distances apart to receive book shelves fstandard dimension, and yet; at the same time, incorporate stress distributing structures so that the columns will carry substantial loads with a Wide margin of safety. In constructing columns in this manner, the main column forming structural members remain substantially uniform while the stress-distributing parts may be added to provide an assembled structure having the necessary load capacity. The invention comprehends'other features residing in the details of-gconstruction of the column members and the plate members used on the ends thereof which secure a cooperation of the parts in assembled relation that'form a new column structure as pointed out in detail in the following description and claims. In the drawing: V l

Fig. 1 is a disassembled perspective showing a a foundation plate, a stack column member with the central portion broken away and shown in section, and a bottom plate for another stack column member disassembled from the lower end of the member, for thepurpose of showing'the details of construction and method of assembly of the several parts.-.

Fig. 2 shows a portion of a stack column mem-' ber in perspective to illustrate a cross section of a stack column member having added stress distributing sections incorporated in'the structure thereof. 1 I

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a stack column member with a different type of stress 50 distributing structure. v

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are cross sections of two other types of stack column 'members incorporating stress distributing sections in the assembly thereof. Y 55 The stack column members forming the subject matter of the present invention will preferably be used with foundation plates l as shown in Fig. 1 that are placed in position on a suitable foundation or foundation floor structure that is to be used for, supporting the book stack, in advance of the erection of the stack thereon. Obviously, a

number of these foundation plates will beused, one for each of. the columns used in the-erec- PATENT OFF} tion of the stack. All of these plates arelocated in coplanar relation on the supporting floor'or' foundation for the book stackin advance of the erection of the stack or the placement, of any columns thereon in the manner disclosed inthe copending application mentioned above.

Each foundation plate comprises a piece of" sheet metal in the form of a plate having a plurality of openings for-receiving -suitab1e=anchor members 2 that are suitablyembeddedi or at-.

tached in the foundation or supporting'floorfor anchoring the foundation platesin fixed posidetachably locking'the column member'sftheretoz so that they will be anchored to the" foundation through the medium of foundation plates l. f Stack-column members! ofthe characterillustrated in the several figures of-the'drawingfare provided'by this invention for erection upon the foundation plates l and upon each-other end to end relation in'the building ofa'stack structure. t equalto the height or one floor so that one set of column members is provided foreach "floorw Each column member is "of duplicate form and of uniform length 'so' asytobe interchangeable and adapted for-mounting upo "1a yotherfcole umn member or any foundation platebyreason 'ofits uniform construction. The column member 4 illustrated iii. F g. iconiprises a pair of strip members '5 having'the ,central portions offset in opposite, directions to pr'ovide channel portions 6. A stress distributing strip member 1 is interposed between strip menibers 5.. The marginal portionsof stripmembers 5 and strip 1 are. secured together bywelding or other equivalent means to provide a' rigid post construction. A'bottom p1ate'8 is mounted'on each column member land. comprise'sa sheet 7 metal plate that, is substantially. square and 'conforms in size andshape tothe'foundation plate; I having openings 9 in thecorner portions for rec vi'rig' "tlietongue's 3 on'the foundation plate or similar tongues on a top plate to be"de'scribed. 1

The bottom plate 8 is also providedwith a plurality'of openings 10 to receive gauging means; not shown, or other spacing devices ofa character that is described in' the aforementioned copending 7 application. Each. bottom p1ate .i8has,i .;the x central portion of the plate formed to provide op- These column' members have" a; length posite pairs of laterally extending ears H arranged to engage on either the inside or the outside ofthe channel portions 6, these cars being shown in Fig. 1 to engage on the inside of channel portions 6 so they may be suitably secured to the ends of the strip 5 in the channel portions 6, by welding, or other equivalent means.

A top plate 12 is provided on each column member and is of the same shape and. size as the bottom plate, having tongues formed from the central portion thereof, indicated at l3 in Fig. 1, similar to tongues I l on the bottom plateand extending into channel portion 6 at the upper end of column member 4 and suitably welded or otherwise secured to the strips 5, in the channel portions, to

rigidly secure the top plate in position. Each top plate is provided with a plurality of openings M in the side edges. These openings are adapted to receive the ends of gauging members used to space =columns desired distances apart in rows both longitudinally and laterally in a bookstack as described in the aforementionedapplication.

' The corner portions of each top plate are formed to provide upwardly extending tongues l5 that -provide interengaging and interlocking means between one column member and an adjacent superposed column member through engaging in the-openings 9in the bottom plate of a superposedcolumnmember in a manner that can be clearly understood from the illustration in Fig. 1. 'Theoifset portions of strips 5 forming channel portions 6 of each column member are provided adjacent to the edges of the channel portions of a the strip, on each side, with a series of slots I6 extending throughout the length of each column .member .to receivesupporting. lugs carried by 1- book shelves, not shown.

:This method of mounting the book shelving on the stack column members isalready well known (in the art,- and illustration and description thereof istherefore, believed unnecessary-except to point; outthat in theme of uniform-sized book shelving, it is .necessary that the stack column members be uniformly spaced and arranged in orderthat theslots in'eachadjacent column in r-a row will be uniformdistances apart to readily receive the book shelving: which is adjustable and interchangeable in'thestack structure through uniform spacing and mounting of the stack col- 5 .umn members.

entire stack structure, are subjected to a substan- ,,tially greater load than stackv column members ,at thetop portion of the stack structure. As a .result it is found desirable in some cases to use stack column members having additional stress distributing structure incorporated therein such as the variousiforms illustrated inFigs. 3 to 6 inclusive, depending on the type and size of loads thecolumn member is to carry. p

The outsidedimensionsof the stack column in- 7 corporating such stress .distributingstructure will .be uniform'in all cases,,the length of the columns will-be uniform:and the top andbottom plates :will'=-be of uniform, size :and structure. In this way the-inventionprovides'for the structure of a book stack having ample-load carrying qualities and an intermediate fiat strip member 25.

bers 22- and'24.

including the provision of the proper factor of safety for carrying the necessary load in all parts of the stack and at the same time providing column members of unit structure for assembly.

The column structure shown in Fig. 2 includes strip members l8 having channel portions formed in the same manner as the strip members 5 illustrated in Fig. 1. The strip members l8 are assembled in the same manner as the strip members 5 with a stress distributing strip member [9 interposed between the opposed strip members l8. Auxiliary channel shaped members 20 of sheet metal are mounted in the channel portions of the strip members It] as shown in Fig. 2 with the opposite edge portions secured to the opposite sides of the channel portions of strip members l8 and the intermediate portion in spaced parallel relation to the offset central portion of strip members l8. In this way a stress distributing structure is obtained through the rectangular tubular structure provided by the combination of strip members I8, I9 and 20, all of these strip 'members extending in parallel relation throughout the length of each column member and the cross sectional illustration in Fig. 2 showing the relative transverse position of these parts.

Edge embracing strips 2| of suitable sheet metal having a' channel shapedcross section are engaged over the opposite edges of strips l8 and [9 in themanner illustrated in Fig. 2, the entire structure being rigidly secured together by the welding of the several members together or through securing them in rigid assembled relation through any other suitable means so as to provide a column structure of the character clearly shown in Fig. 2. The edge embracing members 2| have been found through tests of have a high efiiciency in stress distributing cooperation with strip members l8 and I9 and are also found to be highly efficient in the provision of a column member using strip members similar to members l8 but omitting the intermediate stress distributing member [9.

The stack column structure illustrated in Fig. 3 has substantial strength obtained through the "use of a-plurality of sheet metal strip members includinga pair of strip members 22 formed to provide channel sections 23 arranged in opposed relation and having interposed therebetween a pair of longitudinally extending filler strips 24 The strip members 24 are'positioned on opposite sides offiat strip member 25 that extends between opposite edges of the column and terminates in coincident relation with theedges of strip mem- The central portions of strip members 24 are offset in opposite directions to provide a"pair-of longitudinally extending sections 26 inl the central portion of the column projectinglaterally from the central portion of strip member 25, these sections merging into diverging portions 21 terminating at their outer ends in channel shaped portions 28.

This structure is welded or otherwise suitably .secured together-v at the edge portions of the respective strip members and at other points of contact if' desired so thatthey are all united to form a rigid assembled structure. The channel portions'28 have surface contact with the chan- -nel portions 23 of strip members 22 and through theuseiof-the; diverging sections 21 and the sections-'26;Tthecolumn-structure is provided with substantial'stress distributingparts that cooperate in the assembled structure to carry a subtion 35.

.foundation plate I stantial weight for the type of material used without likelihood of buckling or bending.

Fig. 4 provides a stack column member having channel shaped strip members 30 of duplicate form arranged in opposed relation similar to the strip members 5. Each of the strip members 35 have marginal sections 3! on opposite sides of the channel portion. lhe marginal section 3! at one side has an extension 32 folded back upon section 3i in spaced parallel relation thereto, so that the marginal portion 3| having the extension 32 of each of the channel-shaped strip members 30 will receive and embrace the other marginal extension 3! of the opposite member 30. ihis results in providing a structure wherein a tubular post construction is obtainedjhaving a marginal section 3! and its extension 32 on each "side of the channel section of the members 35 as illustrated in Fig. 4. r

The sections 3! and 32 at opposite sides of the channel portions of the members 39 may be rigidly secured together in an appropriate manner, by Welding or the like, to provide a rigid post construction for the column member in which the portions 3! and 32 cooperate to provide an efii-,

oient stress distributing structure in the column for carrying substantial loads. The column member constructed as shown in Fig. 4 will be provided with top and bottom plates in the same manner as illustrated in connection with the column member shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a column member constructed in a manner somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 illustrates the partial assembly of the structure, and Fig. 6 illustrates the column sections in complete assembled relation. Referring to Fig. 5 the column comprises channel-shaped strip members 33 and 34. The ends of channel-shaped strip member 33 are provided with lateral extensions in opposite directions ind cated at and channel member 34 is provided with similar laterally extending sections 36. The extensions 35 terminate in angular flange sections 31 that are folded back toward channel member 34 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5 so that they extend in angular relation to the por- This provides for the assembly of a channel member 33 with a channel member 34 by engaging flanges 35 of channel member 33 between flanges 36 and 31 of channel member 34 as illustrated in Fig. 5.

After these channel members are assembled in this manner, flanges 31 are pressed into engagement with flanges 35 of member 33 to rigidly secure the two channel members in assembled relatiori, the flanges 33, 36 and 3! being suitably welded or secured together in rigid assembled relation to provide a rigid post structure having similar stress distributing properties to the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, and being adapted to carry substantially large loads in comparison with the type or material used. Columns constructed as illustrated in Fig. 6 will also have top and bottom plates similar to the column illustrated in Fig. i.

In using columns of the characterabove described in the building of a book stack, the columns for supporting the first floor of the book stack will be arranged in position, one on each with tongues 3 engaging through openings 9. The tongues are turned over to lock each column to each base plate.

The next set of columns above those supporting the first floor are then positioned on top of the first set of columns so that the tongues IE on each top plate will extend through openings 3 on the bottom plate of the column next above so they may be turned over to lock the two columns together. The manner of securing this result is clearly described in the aforementioned application and can be readily appreciated from the disclosure in Fig. 1..

It will be further understood that where a book stack construction has a number of storiesor decks, the weight on the lowermost group of columns will be much greater than the weightor load on the upper columns. It is therefore desirable instacks of this character to use columns in the bottom portion of the stack that are conhave to bevaried in order to place the'book shelves in interlocked relation with the columns through the use of the slots or openings I6, yet, adequate provisionis made for carrying-the widely varying load conditions applied to the columns in the bottom portion of the stack as compared withthose at the top.

' It is to be understood in connection with the disclosure and illustration of the several cross sections of columns as shown in the drawing and described above, that .the column having the cross section shown in Fig. 1 andusing the strip i may have the strip members 5 thereof constructed like those shown in Figs. 4 and 6, with flanges similar to those shown at 32in Fig. 4, or 3'! in Fig. 6 added to the strips 5.

It is also to be understood that channel strips 2| as shown in Fig. 2 maybe used with the structure of Fig. 1 which should be obvious from Fig. 2 in view of the fact that it is clear that for some types of column structures members 20 maybe omitted. Where an unusually strong column structure is desired, such as that shownin Fig. 3, it is to be further understood that members 22 may, if desired, be made in a manner similar to the structures shown in Figs. land 6 should additional strength be needed in the columns having the crosssectionshown in Fig. 3,

or channel strips similar to those shown'at 2| in Fig. 2 may be used should this type of construction be preferable. 1 As the various arrangement of column parts described in the paragraph next above should be perfectly obvious from the foregoing description and the drawing and in view of the fact that to illustrate each one described would unnecessarily multiply the drawings, an illustration of the arrangements described in the paragraph next above have been omitted from the illustration in the drawing, but are to be understood as being comprehended by the claims.

The invention claimed is: f

l. A metal column, comprising a tubular post member, a base plate and a top plate on opposite ends of said post member extending latorally to the axis thereof, said top plate being member, and said base plate being formed with,

means spaced from the post member to detachably received the projections of a similar top plate on another column member to detachably engage said column members in end to end relation, said projections and means being operable to secure two columns together in end to end axially aligned relation.

2. A sheet metal column, comprising a tubular sheet metal post, sheet metal plates, each formed to provide centrally arranged laterally extending securing tongues securing said plates to opposite ends of said post, positioning tongues formed on one of said plates in spaced relation on the side of said'plate opposite the post, the other of said plates having spaced apertures formed therein to receive the tongues on one of the first-mentioned plates of another post to secure a pair of posts together in axially aligned relation.

3. A sheet metal column comprising a tubular sheet metal post, polygonal sheet metal base and top plates having the central portions engaged with opposite ends of said post in laterally extending relation, securing tongues struck out of said plates extending laterally thereto and fastened to said post, laterally extending positioning tongues struck out of the corner portions of said top plate and extending laterally thereto from the side opposite the post, the base plate having corner apertures to receive the positioning tongues on the top plate of another post for securing said posts in axial aligned relation.

l. A sheet metal column, comprising a tubular sheet metal post, sheet metal plates each formed in the central portion with laterally extending means attaching said plates to opposite ends of said post, one of said plates having a plurality of lateral projections on the side opposite said post and in spaced relation from the center of said plate and each other operable to engage in coinplementary parts formed to receive said projections in the other plate on another post for aligning two posts in end to end relation, and aligned attaching means on each of said plates for detachably receiving gauging members adaptedto align other posts in spaced parallel relation.

5. A sheet metal column, comprising a pair of elongated sheet metal strips, opposite margins of said strips being engaged in face toface contact in coincident relation and Welded together, said strips having central sections offset in opposite directions, forming laterally extending spaced parallel portions connected to said margins, and spaced parallel sections joining the outer edges of said laterally extending portions to form a rectangular tubular post in cross section, said laterally extending portions having longitudinally aligned slots formed therein adjacent to said margins on each side thereof, and top and bottom plates extending transversely of the ends of said post having the central portions engaged with and secured to said post, one of said plates having positioning means formed ing central sections offset in opposite directions forming laterally extending spaced parallel portions connected to said margins, and spaced parallel sections joining the outer edges of said laterally extending portions to form a rectangular tubular post in cross section having an internal reinforcing web, and end plates extending transversely on the ends of said post, having the central portions secured to the ends of said post, and means formed on one plate for inter'engagement with complementary means formed on the other plate on another post for positioning said posts in axial alignment.

'7. A sheet metal column, comprising a plurality of elongated sheet metal strips, oppositemarginal sections of said strips being engaged in face to face contact in coincident relation and integrally welded together, central sections of the outermost strips having oppositely offset portions in spaced parallel relation and laterally extending portions in spaced parallel relation joining the first-mentioned parallel portions to said marginal sections and forming a rigid tubular post, and end plates having the central portions secured to the ends of said post on opposite ends thereof, positioning projections on one end plate and apertures in the other end plate adapted to receive the positioning projections on the end plateof another post to align said posts in symmetrical relation.

8. A library stack column, comprising a plurality of elongated sheet metal strips, opposite marginal sections of said strips being engaged in face to face contact in coincident relation and integrally joined together, central sections of the outermost strips having oppositely ofiset portions in spaced parallel relation and laterally extending portions in. spaced parallel relation joining the first-mentioned parallel portions to said marginal sections and forming a rigid tubular post, said laterally extending portions each having a row of uniformly spaced symmetrical perforations extending longitudinally thereof, each row of perforations having cooperatioln with a roW in another post to detachably receive attaching lugs on a book shelf for adjustably and detachably mounting the book shelf on said post in supporting position in forming a library stack, and end plates having lateral extensions in thecentral portions secured to the ends of the outermost strips on opposite ends thereof, positioning projections on one end plate and apertures in'the other end plate adapted to receive the positioning projections on the end plate of another post to align said posts in symmetrical relation whereby said laterally extending portions on each post are in alignment with said rows of perforations in alignment, and whereby said strips and end plates in assembled relation cooperate to provide a column unit structure for the construction of bookstacks, wherein the strips form the load carrying members for directly supporting the book shelves and also the floors through the medium of the end plates directing the load to the strips, said end plates cooperating to provide for the spacing of columns in a stack structure to place the rows of perforations in the strips in a fixed spaced parallel relation in adjacent rows of columns so that the book shelves may be detachably mounted on any pair of adjacent parallel columns.

ROBERT C. WALKER. 

